Moorhead High School Theater Blog

The Tony Award-winning Broadway phenomenon, NEWSIES is coming to Moorhead Theater this November 9-11, 16-18, 23 and 24. The show is based on the historical newsboy strike of 1899 that shook the ivory towers of William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. It leaps onto the stage with soul stirring music, amazing heart, and stunning choreography.

Newsies, the musical, tells the story of how a band of underdogs took on the most powerful names in New York in a fight for what’s right. The poor and orphaned teenagers, selling newspapers for a penny a paper, are pushed to the limit when newspaper moguls Hearst and Pulitzer try to take away more of their meager profits. Jack Kelly becomes the leader who rallies the newsies from across the city to take a stand and strike against the most powerful publishers in the country. Their cause becomes even bigger than any of the newsies imagined when they realize they’re fighting for all the children working in unfair and unsafe conditions across the nation.

Minutes after the rights became available, Director Rebecca Meyer-Larson scooped up the opportunity to produce the show. “The original movie has a cult following, and I am definitely part of that cult. It took Broadway success and 25 years for it to finally be released to amatueur theaters – but it was definitely worth the wait! In light of a resurgence of youth activism like the March for Our Lives movement, the history inherent in this story is especially relevant,” says Meyer-Larson.

Disney’s NEWSIES the Broadway Musical will be performed at the Moorhead High School auditorium November 9, 10, 16, 17,  23, and 24. at 7:30 PM with 2 p.m. matinees on November 11 & 18. Tickets can be reserved online at http://www.MoorheadSchools.org/tix or by calling the MHS Activities Office at 218-284-2255 beginning October 26. Moorhead High Theatre strives to make its performances and facilities accessible to all patrons. On November 11, we will have a sign-language interpreted performance.For tickets for this performance or if you need additional assistance, please contact our Activities Office.Ticket prices are $11 for adults and $7 for students.

Moorhead High School’s musical theater department has been awarded the Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Musical Theater Award for Production Excellence in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017.  

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please email Rebecca Meyer-Larson at rmlarson@moorheadschools.org or call 218-284-2371.

by Alex Siegel

Being a senior in Moorhead High School’s production of “NEWSIES” is an unreal experience. Growing up through this program has changed me in so many ways and has really helped me to grow as a person. There are many lessons that each cast has taught me that have aided in my academic and social life. I have learned how to speak confidently for job interviews, how to stay organized and on top of everything in my life, and most importantly; I have learned how to make lasting friendships and families with those around me. One thing I have definitely learned from this is how fast my time in high school has gone by; I remember freshman year listening to my seniors give their senior speeches and each of them saying “cherish your time, it goes by quicker than you think”, I never really realized that until it came time for auditions for “NEWSIES” and I was just left there thinking “Wow, we’re already here… It’s already time for my last production on Moorhead High School’s stage.”

Senior year brings its own responsibilities and excitements. Now we get to run all of the initiations and all of the fun events during EM break. The fun thing to think is that everyone looks up to us throughout this program, meaning that when they see that all of us seniors who are so close to each other get along so well, that they get a taste of what they should hopefully end up like their senior year. Just knowing that this is our last show, I think I speak for all the seniors when I say that we are going to make sure that the entire production of “NEWSIES” is one of the best ones we’ve had in years, because who doesn’t want their last production at their high school to be the one they remember for years to come. I also cannot wait to see how this year’s freshman grow and mature throughout the years when I come back as an alumni to this program but, I can tell you this… this production of  “NEWSIES” and this amazing cast is one you will not want to miss!